Trump petition reaches parliament

A petition calling for a public inquiry into the handling of Donald Trump’s golf complex on the east coast of Scotland has received 11,000 signatures, nearly six times the anticipated amount.

David Milne, a local resident who lives near to the course to the north of Aberdeen, was granted permission by the Scottish Parliament to go ahead with the petition to ascertain the views of local people about the handling of the project.

Milne had predicted about 2,000 signatures, but it appears feelings within local communities regarding the project are stronger than anticipated.

The resort will feature two championship courses, a five-star hotel and a state-of-the-art golf academy. The first course opened for play in July 2012.

In an interview with STV, Milne expressed his desire to “make sure no other community anywhere in Scotland ever has to face down the combination of a bullying developer and officials determined to see them get their way.”

The public inquiry, to be carried out by the Scottish Petitions Committee, could shed some light on how Trump successfully carried through the plans. This is not intended to be an investigation into the workings of Trump International, but rather the sanctioning of the project – the planning application of which was initially rejected.

Trump is currently in the process of protesting an offshore wind farm being built within sight of the resort.